3-Year-Olds Class (Bunnies)

Mrs. Casolari and Mrs. Nazzaro

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30-11:30

Our Bunnies Class teaches and reinforces basic educational skills in a variety of individual and group activities. There are 2 qualified teachers in the classroom with a maximum number of 18 students. Our goal is to develop in each child a positive self image and a love of learning in a safe and nurturing, faith based environment.

Mrs. Casolari is a creative, dedicated and experienced teacher who loves working with children.  Mrs. Casolari has blessed our preschool for 20 years and this is Mrs Nazzaro's first year.

8:30-9:00 Morning Circle:  Children sing songs, perform creative movement dances and do fingerplays.  The teacher introduces cognitive concepts that will be reinforced throughout the day.  The theme and concepts for the week are reinforced by a story read by the teacher as well as a variety of group activities.  As a group and also individually, students change the daily calendar and dress the weather person.  Children also have an opportunity to take turns sharing with the group and bring in a show and tell item.

9:00-9:30  Outside Time: Children work on their large motor skills in activities such as climbing, sliding, playing in the sand, running, throwing and catching balls, riding tricycles, using hula hoops, playing with a parachute, etc.

9:30-10:00  Small Group Activities:  By participating in a wide range of interesting activities, the teachers develop childrens' cognitive skills such as number and letter recognition, writing, counting, sorting, making comparisons, following patterns, and color and shape identification. 

10:00-10:20  Snack:  Provided by the preschool.  Good manners, taking turns, and other social skills are taught.  We are happy to safely accomodate children with food allergies. 

10:20-11:20  Independent Choice:  Three year olds love being with their friends and playing together.  During this time, children participate in imaginative play and learn valuable social skills such as taking turns, sharing, and language development.  Each day, the teachers offer new learning centers  such as building activities, Playdoh, book center, the sensory table, puzzles, writing table, small motor manipulatives, science table, dress up clothes, pretend play, etc.  

Art Activity:  A teacher assists small groups of children in the daily art project which is related to the weekly theme, weekly letter or based on that day's literature.  Various art materials are used with the goal of fostering fine motor skills and promoting individual creativity.

11:20-11:30  Closing Circle: The teacher reads a story or plays and game and the class sings a closing song.

Chapel:  Once a week, the school's director presents a brief, age appropriate Bible story and lesson. The children also sing songs and say a prayer.

Bunny Journals:  Each week, starting in January, two children take home the special class bunnies (stuffed). Children draw pictures of what he/she did with the bunny and the parents write short narratives.  After the week's visit, children return the bunny to the classroom and present to the class his/her journal and the adventures he/she had with the bunny.
Parent Involvement:  Parents and families are invited to share in special events such as the Teddy Bear Picnic, School Swap Meet, Fall Festival, Christmas Chapel performaces, Muffins with Moms, Dad's Brunch, Spring Carnvial, parenting classes, and more!